This paper provides an introduction to Universal Instructional Design (UID), an adaptation of the architectural concept of universal design (UD), and discusses the benefits of this model as an inclusive approach to higher education. UD originated in the field of architecture as a proactive means of responding to legislated architectural requirements as well as societal and economic changes that called for providing access for people with disabilities. One of the most common examples used to illustrate this concept is the curb cut, which was designed to enhance the mobility of people using wheelchairs. When implementing universal design, the architect considers the needs of all potential users in developing the plans for a space so that it will not require retrofitting later. This paper focuses specifically on UID, which primarily emphasizes inclusive pedagogy rather than structural features such as ramps or appropriate heights of signs, desks, counters, and shelves or technological accommodations such as screen readers or captioning on videos. The "universal" in UID is not meant to imply that "one size fits all"; instead the goal of UID is universal access. (Contains 2 tables.)